Training the next generation of conservation scientists: field courses in Borneo

Speaker Jen Sheridan, Assistant Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles at Carnegie Museum of Natural History

This talk focuses on how field courses draw students in to studying natural history and conservation, and how such courses serve pedagogical goals as well as research goals for participating faculty. Sheridan will share her own initial field experience that set her on her career path, as well as her endeavors to provide similar field experiences for students. Additionally, Sheridan will discuss her most recent field teaching experience which brought together early career graduate students from 12 countries in a primary rainforest environment to instruct them on field survey and research methods. Finally, Sheridan will discuss the student-led research projects most closely related to her own area of expertise, herpetology, to highlight how both students and faculty benefit from such field courses.

This talk will take place in the Earth Theater.